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Needing a win to level the series, India bolstered their bowling attack for next week's third and final Test against South Africa in Kanpur by including fit-again paceman Ishant Sharma and recalling medium-pacer Munaf Patel to a 16-man squad.

The selectors also recalled off-spinner Ramesh Powar after losing the second Test in Ahmedabad by an innings and 90 runs inside three days.

The 19-year-old Sharma has been out of action with foot and finger injuries since returning from an impressive tour of Australia. He missed the first two Tests against the Proteas. Munaf last played a Test in December.

Powar has been named partly as cover for skipper and leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who suffered a groin strain in the drawn first Test but battled through last week's second Test defeat.

"The team is keen to play three spinners and hence Powar has been added to the line-up", Indian board secretary Niranjan Shah said.

Shah added that both Sharma and Kumble would be subject to fitness Tests on the eve of the Test.

India will again be without star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who aggravated a groin injury in the first Test which ruled him out of the rest of the series.